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Financial Poise™ Webinars and West LegalEdcenter are pleased to announce the September 21st premiere of a new webinar series “PERSUASIVE BRIEF-WRITING 2016," designed to introduce attorneys and business owners to the basics of brief-writing. Moderator Robert Michaels of Robinson Curley & Clayton joins panelists from the Circuit Court of Cook County, Martin Sirott LLC and Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd to discuss how to structure, style and organize writing for a persuasive brief.

Mastering the craft of persuasive legal writing can take decades and require shedding ingrained old habits and defying some common expectations.

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Especially in federal district court, pre-trial litigation occurs almost entirely “on the papers,” with few, if any, oral arguments or courtroom presentations. If litigators want a claim to survive or be dismissed, discovery to be permitted or denied, or evidence to be admitted or barred, they must persuade the court in writing. But mastering the craft of persuasive legal writing can take decades and require shedding ingrained old habits and defying some common expectations.

This webinar series features seasoned litigators, a former legal writing instructor, and a sitting judge discussing the structure, substance, and style of effective brief-writing. This series will help new and more experienced litigators sharpen a set of crucial skills that can, and should, continue developing throughout their careers.

As with all Financial Poise™ Webinars, the episodes in the series are designed to be viewed independently of the other episodes, and listeners will enhance their knowledge of this area whether they attend one, some, or all of the programs.

The first episode of the series, STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION, airs on September 21st at 11am CST (Register Here) and features host Robert Michaels of Robinson Curley & Clayton. He is joined by The Honorable Alison Conlon of the Circuit Court of Cook County, John Martin of Martin Sirott LLC and Jim Morsch of Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd LLP.

Unclear and unpersuasive legal writing often comes from undeveloped analysis and undisciplined organization. This webinar explores best practices for structuring and organizing briefs, including how to most effectively frame arguments, use authority and find a winning theme. It also takes a fresh look at an old law school war horse: I(ssue) R(ule) (A)nalysis C(onclusion) – one of the few rules in life from which there is virtually never cause to deviate.